WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Phalkun Mam, a senior standout on the Whitman College men's tennis team, has been named Northwest Conference Player of the Week for the third time in his college career.
Mam, who began the spring season with a No. 5 national ranking in NCAA Div. III, has helped spark Whitman to its best start start in recent memory. With a large roster and the ability to field two teams at the same time, the Missionaries played six matches in two days last weekend, beating five NWC teams and losing to NCAA Div. I University of Portland. Whitman is 11-2 on the season, which includes a 10-0 mark in conference play.
Mam played in three matches last weekend, winning three times at No. 1 singles. One of those victories was a three-set comeback triumph over the University of Portland's Alex Strom. Mam nearly shared in a second victory against Portland, but he and senior teammate Steven Lyn dropped a 9-8 decision in the No. 1 doubles match.
Mam and Ly were easy victors last weekend in their two other doubles matches. They are 8-1 on the season in doubles play. Mam is 7-1 at No. 1 singles.
Mam won his second NWC Player of the Week award last February, midway through his junior season. He picked up his first award as a freshman.
Mam, a graduate of McKay High School in Salem, Ore., got his senior campaign off to a strong start last fall by winning the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Northwest Regional Singles Championship. He then placed fifth at the ITA national championships in Florida.
Whitman resumes NWC play this Saturday when it hosts Pacific Lutheran at 9 a.m. and Puget Sound at 2 p.m. Both matches are slated for the Bratton Tennis Center.
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, (509) 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu